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PSD commemorated IDSDP by hosting dodgeball and netball tournaments

PSD commemorated IDSDP by hosting dodgeball and netball tournaments

“Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination.” - Nelson Mandela

The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) is an event celebrated globally to bring peace, stability, tolerance and social inclusion within various communities, societies and people all across the world.

With this belief, Pro Sport Development (PSD) hosted netball and dodgeball tournaments for four of its community schools, specifically Bhaktakavi Madhusudan School (BMS), Bhaktakavi Madhusudan Primary School (BMPS), Binapani Sishu Mandir (BPSM) and Vivekananda Shiksha Kendra (VSK), and witnessed the participation of over 80 underprivileged children aged eight to 13 years.

PSD focused on achieving three core values throughout the tournaments - teamwork, participation and gender equality. To help achieve these values, equal opportunities were provided to both girls and boys to participate in the games and strategic meetings within teams were held to motivate team members to perform at their best. The teams followed a fixture list made by PSD and the eventual winner was decided on the number of games they won over the tournament. The tournaments had a healthy competitive spirit and kept in mind the three core values, which were observed and encouraged by the PSD community coaches throughout the day.

The tournaments were followed by a discussion that educated the children on the importance of IDSDP, its core values and how it can help unify their communities. Moreover, PSD coaches motivated the children to participate in sports, focus on working together and respecting others while playing. To conclude the day, PSD coaches handed out certificates for the “Best Female and Male Players” for each of its community schools and treated all the participants with a small snack.

The tournaments showed the importance of sports in resolving social issues such as discrimination, diminishing the gender barrier and empowering the youth.